Sounders finalize Fredy Montero loan, extension

Montero showing off his new duds in a place that I’m sure is much warmer than Seattle, or in my case, Moscow, Idaho.

Before Seattle Sounders FC officially sent forward Fredy Montero on his one-year journey to Colombia, they made sure his value would stay in Seattle for a few more years to come.

The Montero-to-Millonarios news is nothing new, in fact it first broke weeks ago and Montero himself is already in pre-season training with the Colombian champs. The news that came as a bit of a surprise today when the FO sent out the news release on Montero’s loan was the fact that he and the club reached a contract extension alongside the loan deal.

Previous reports said Montero’s previous contract was set to expire after 2014, but with a new contract extension (terms and length are never publicized per club and MLS policy) Montero’s sale stock and the Sounders bargaining ability for a transfer fee increase compared to a player at the end of his contract.

The reality now though becomes that Montero is gone from the club this season. With his departure goes 22 percent of the organization’s goals in all competitions, the club’s leading assist man and the Rave Green’s biggest threat.

The discussion for the club now becomes how to replace Montero’s production. I feel like I’m in the war room for Billy Beane and the Oakland A’s in Moneyball saying that we aren’t going to replace Montero, but we need to replace his productivity. That replacement may already by signed to a contract with guys like David Estrada, Sammy Ochoa or Babayele Sodade playing a scorer by committee role, or it may be in a new designated player that General Manager Adrian Hanauer and manager Sigi Schmid bring in — an option now that Montero’s DP slot is open as long as he’s gone.

On another note, Sounders training camp opened up this morning at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwilla. Missing from the camp were US Men’s National Team members Eddie Johnson and Brad Evans and Honduran National Team member Mario Martinez, while new additions include SuperDraft selections Eriq Zavaleta and Dylan Remick, former Sounders Cordell Cato, out-of-contract former Chivas USA/New England Revolution midfielder Blair Gavin and UANL Tigres reserve midfielder Mane Asprila. The other big name on trail with the club is 23-year-old Honduran center back Jose David Velasquez Colon who was rumored to join the club several times in the past two months.

here is also a video of Schmid talking about the first day of camp. As I always say, if you’re looking for a reason to love the Sounders — look no further than sport’s shortest offseason.

About The Author

Madison McCord

Madison is the Digital Media Producer at the Yakima Herald-Republic. Originally from Spokane, Madison is a die-hard Seattle Sounders FC and USMNT fan. Along with loving soccer, he has an affinity for tacos and good bourbon — heck, even bad bourbon sometimes.